Learning, Leading & Hiccups

At every turn newness introduces an experience that shapes the way we plant our next step. Whether we’re moving from dark to light, uncertainty to clarity, or the unexpected reverse of either or both, the day brings with it a marvelous unfolding of circumstances that help us grow.

Yesterday, we began a new season in the life of FaithWalk, with regards to our time of worship on Sunday mornings. We implemented a completely new worship order and changed up our setting a great deal, making available a different worship experience, along with new ways of communicating and teaching God’s Word.

This new shift coincided with a new teaching series I am leading, titled, “Show Me The _____!” Part 1 yesterday, was (you guessed it) “Money”! The new series will be unpacking our understanding of what “stewardship” is supposed to look like in our lives, related to our everyday existence (the 4-part series looks at Money, Relationships, Blessings, and Direction).

So yesterday was an awesome and exciting start to a new season at FaithWalk. And for many, it also presented the contemplation of new steps on their faith journey. For me, it was a refreshing, engaging, and fun time of teaching on a difficult and often touchy subject. Great stuff and great time!

Yesterday evening, we entered week three of a new series for our evening worship gathering, FAITHREMIX. The current series is “The Tough Questions I have Always Wanted to Ask,” and last night’s primer was, “Why do we have to pray if God already has our lives planned out?” And, “Will prayer change how our life turns out?” BIG two-part question!

Bryant, Amy, Matt, and Michael all started the evening with some incredible music in a time of worship — moving, contemplative, engaging, and powerful stuff! Awesome. Then I climbed on the stage for a time of teaching and discussion (our evening worship gathering is very engaging and interactive), at which time it seems that my effort in teaching may have brought more confusion than clarity!

Yes, it is impossible to take such a big theological question and try to unpack it in 45 minutes of discussion. Sometimes the intent of offering compressed clarity can actually produce more fog! Heck, we could do an entire series on this one question.

But here is the cool thing… It brought about more questions! And that is exactly what we must embrace in order to grow in our understanding of God.

We will never fully understand the mysteries of God. Augustine once said, “If you were able to understand it, it would not be God.” Yet, if we are seeking answers and direction in life, such answers emerge out of time spent in conversation and interaction with God. Jesus said, “Keep seeking and you will find” (Matthew 7:7, NLT).

What’s the point?

The point is simply this… Through the ups and downs, excitement and loss of enthusiasm, the questions and weird answers, the good intentions and poor execution, or the clarity and uncertainty life brings, God remains. And if we are willing to pursue God with every ounce of our very being, we will not only learn, but we will lead others to the heart of God.

Along the way we might encounter a hiccup or two on our journey. Such hiccups may stretch and challenge us to think or step beyond ourselves. I like to think of these hiccups as subtle reminders that we need God more than ever, in this and every moment ahead. Especially when we seem to be muddying the waters even more!

Such a realization means we are moving closer to God. And personally, that is where I want to be. What about you?